RSAF F-16D Advanced Block 52 makes first flight
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http://www.lmtas.com/news/programnews/combat_air/f16/f16_04/f16pr040227.html
Fort Worth, Texas — Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] completed a successful first flight yesterday of the initial F-16 Advanced Block 52 aircraft produced for Singapore.
“We are proud of this accomplishment for Singapore and our team,” said John Bean, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-16 programs. “We are happy to see a new generation of Fighting Falcons now flying for this longtime customer.”
SingaporeÂ’s purchase program includes aircraft, support equipment, spare parts, training, mission equipment and other associated items. The aircraft have components manufactured by Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman and other U.S. suppliers.
This program is the fourth buy of the F-16 for the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Singapore received its first F-16 under the original Peace Carvin program signed in 1988. Subsequent orders were made in 1994, 1997 and this in 2000.
The F-16 is the choice of 24 countries....(rest of article snipped) -
Heres a link to a photo of the new bird on the f-16.net site
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album04-photoech.html -
they only say 4th buy. Never say altogother buy how many???
did anyone did a count and see how many we bought and how many we lost. I know we lost a F16A/B very early on.
Also altogether lease how many.... -
20, mindef announce long long ago. dun expect a press release to include such things, for what? make the company look good or bad? this are sensitive things to their customer.Originally posted by spencer99:they only say 4th buy. Never say altogother buy how many???
did anyone did a count and see how many we bought and how many we lost. I know we lost a F16A/B very early on.
Also altogether lease how many.... -
Hey Viper52, I can't tell that it is a Block52+. Are you sure this is a new bird? It has the RSAF serial No. (661)Originally posted by Viper52:Heres a link to a photo of the new bird on the f-16.net site
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album04-photoech.html
How do you tell whether it is the Block52+ or the typical Block52? The Greek AF and IAF ones all have CFTs on their Block52+. I thought the CFT comes as standard. If this is indeed a Block52+, why are there no CFTs? -
Joe Black, f-16.net doesn't allow remote linking of images, your photo doesn't work (I tried the same method of posting the image just nowOriginally posted by Joe Black:Hey Viper52, I can't tell that it is a Block52+. Are you sure this is a new bird? It has the RSAF serial No. (661)
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Yes its a new bird, the serial notwithstanding, this aircraft has (by looking at the photo in the link posted above)
- WAR HUD found previously on the Block 40/42
- Redesigned spine without parabrake housing
- some of the lumps and bumps found on the F-16I
Ignore the 145 sqn logo on the tail, LM painted it on the tail themselves. I think they will look different when they join the actual 145 Sqn. -
What about the CFTs? Interesting to see that the Wide Angle HUD on Block 40/42 is being adopted in the advanced version... I thought the Advanced Block 50 has a new HUD altogether. See the following pic:Originally posted by Viper52:Joe Black, f-16.net doesn't allow remote linking of images, your photo doesn't work (I tried the same method of posting the image just now )
Yes its a new bird, the serial notwithstanding, this aircraft has (by looking at the photo in the link posted above)
- WAR HUD found previously on the Block 40/42
- Redesigned spine without parabrake housing
- some of the lumps and bumps found on the F-16I
Ignore the 145 sqn logo on the tail, LM painted it on the tail themselves. I think they will look different when they join the actual 145 Sqn.
Extract from:
http://www.defense-update.com/features/du-1-04/feature-advanced-f-16.htm
Cockpit Configurations
The standard configuration of an Advanced Block 50/52 cockpit features helmet-mounted cueing system, which allows the pilot to direct sensors or weapons to his line of sight or to help him find a designated target. Head-Up Display and several color multifunction displays and advanced recording and data-transfer equipment is used to reduce pilot workload in every phase of the mission. The cockpit is compatible with night vision goggles. A common configuration includes multi-channel VHF/UHF/HF/Data communications, satellite communication and tactical data link systems (such as the NATO-standard Link 16), in addition. Link 16 provides secure, jam-resistant, high-volume data exchange on a multi-node network. Also standard is the combined friend from foe interrogator/ transponder, which permits autonomous identification to maximize launch ranges of radar-guided air-to-air missiles at distances beyond visual range (BVR).
BTW, here are a couple of Blk 52+ from Hellenic AF and Israeli F-16I for comparison:
IAF F-16I
Hellenic AF
It seems that the Greek version of the Blk52+ has the parabrake.
Furthermore, it has been reported that 10 countries actually bought the advanced 52 version. I can't name all 10. Which are they except Greece, Israel, Singapore, and Chile? -
One interesting question I have got - it seems like the Blk 52+ comes with HMS as standard rather than optional extra. Which one would RSAF choose? JHMS or DASH-IV?
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Is it me or does the Blk 52 looks like a F-5E from the top?
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I thought the 2 extra 'bumps' sticking out from the side belongs to the Block 60 variant? Correct me if i'm wrong.
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our new F-16 block 52+ has NO conformal fuel tanks??
what is the new features found in 52+ that is not found in block 52?? -
Joe Black,
the CFTs are detachable. Since its the first flight I suppose LM left it off. Ditto the Greek ones. They are still an optional item on the Advanced 50/52s and 60s.
Yes, the Israeli F-16Is were the first to appear with a spine without the housing. Seems like someone finally stumped up the cash for the redesign. I suppose all 52 orders since the Greek ones are Advanced 50/52s. I forgot who else has ordered, but IIRC Poland is one of the customers.
I've no idea why the HUD is the Block 40/42 WAR, or even if it is the WAR (although it sure looks like it is). I've asked a couple of friends with LM about it, and see what they say. As for the HMS, would it make sense to get another new type?
Jazzswing, the 2 bumps are Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFTs). They are standard fit for all Advanced Block 50/52s onwards. -
so are our F-16s getting the CFTs or not? do they come as part of the package?
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Wonder why they left the FSO out? I believe it's on the Blk 60 and maybe first appeared in the XL?
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Originally posted by Viper52:
If it is optional, are the RSAF Block 52+ Vipers going to have CFTs?
Joe Black,
the CFTs are detachable. Since its the first flight I suppose LM left it off. Ditto the Greek ones. They are still an optional item on the Advanced 50/52s and 60s.
Wouldn't need to redesign I thought. The original tail rudder bottom is tappered in. Just remote the parabrake/ECM housing that's all.
Yes, the Israeli F-16Is were the first to appear with a spine without the housing. Seems like someone finally stumped up the cash for the redesign. I suppose all 52 orders since the Greek ones are Advanced 50/52s. I forgot who else has ordered, but IIRC Poland is one of the customers.
I've got the feeling its the Block40/42 HUD as well when I zoomed in the pic. I can't understand why revert back to this HUD whereas the previous Block 52 all have the typical Block 50 HUDs. An explaination by someone who knows the reason will be most welcome.
I've no idea why the HUD is the Block 40/42 WAR, or even if it is the WAR (although it sure looks like it is). I've asked a couple of friends with LM about it, and see what they say.
Simple. The DASH-3 HMS used in the Vipers today are only displaying HUD symbology such as targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters. However, JHMCS not only display this, but it can also display IR raster images captured by the targeting pods.
As for the HMS, would it make sense to get another new type?
JHMCS:
DASH-3:
I would presume DASH-4 would be as advanced as JHMCS if not even better given it is the same generation as JHMCS. So naturally, when it comes to selecting a new HMS, I would tend to think that it is only logical to choose between the DASH-4 and JHMCS. -
You sure that's 145 logo? That looks like a mosquito to me. How can Lmtas spoil my favourite squadron's logo.Originally posted by Viper52:Ignore the 145 sqn logo on the tail, LM painted it on the tail themselves. I think they will look different when they join the actual 145 Sqn.
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Looks very heavy. A chiropractor's dream come true.Originally posted by Joe Black:JHMCS: -
Joe Black, redesigning the spine w/o the parabrake housing doesn't involve simply cutting off the parabrake housing. If you've seen the VISTA/F-16I with the the SRS (there exists a pic of an RSAF D with it as well), you'll know how a big-spine aircraft without the parabrake housing looks like. The rear end is quite different from the Suefa and the new RSAF F-16D that has emerged. The required redesign, requalification and retesting the tail of the original F-16 with the spine. And that costs $. And its at least a 6-figure sum. In US$....
Hornet145, from what I've seen, that logo looks exactly like the the 145 Sqn logos I've seen painted on the Skyhawks, from the white/yellow/black hi-vis days to the one that appeared on A-4SU 941 back in the 98 Open House.